■ Spanish GP
Capirossi reigns in Spain
Loris Capirossi of Italy won the MotoGP in Sunday's season-opening Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, while world champion and compatriot Valentino Rossi was 14th. Capirossi, who started on the pole, timed 45 minutes, 57.733 seconds. Spain's Daniel Pedrosa, the 250cc world champion, finished second on a Honda, 4.375 seconds behind. US rider Nicky Hayden finished third, 9.996 seconds behind the Italian. Seven-time world champion Rossi was hit by Tony Elias' bike in the first curve, sending him sliding and off the track and forcing him to resume the race from last position. Jorge Lorenzo won his first 250cc race and Alvaro Bautista won the 125cc event.
■ Biathlon
Bjorndalen, Tjorhom win
Ole Einar Bjorndalen and Linda Tjorhom won season-ending World Cup mass start races Sunday at Holmenkollen in Oslo. Bjorndalen took the men's 15km event in 39 minutes, 1.7 seconds after two misses. It was the Norwegian's 63rd World Cup win -- a new record -- and his third straight this weekend at the cradle of Nordic skiing. Roman Dostal of the Czech Republic was second, 12.1 seconds behind. He also missed two of his 20 targets. Bjorndalen, who clinched his record-tying fourth overall title Saturday, topped the final mass start standings ahead of Raphael Poiree of France, who also was second overall.
■ Rally racing
Loeb takes Catalunya
World champion Sebastien Loeb won his second straight Catalunya Rally on Sunday in Pratdip, Spain, with fellow Citroen driver Daniel Sordo finishing second. Loeb, the three-time world champ, finished the 16 stages over three days in 3 hours, 22 minutes, 1.7 seconds. Sordo was 48.2 seconds behind.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely